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My 9 year old cat developed a problem this past week that left her right side disabled. She's walking, but wobbly. Turning in circles to the right. My vet said she probaly had a problem with the left side of her brain. Just what or how is unknown.

My problem is she won't eat or drink by herself ( i.e., from her bowls of food and water ) and I have to manually feed her. I've gotten bit several times in the process.

I liquify her food and use a rubber tipped syringe to feed her with. I hold her head with one hand and slide the syringe in the side of her mouth to dispense the liquid.

I think she's forgotten how to eat. I say that because she actually swallows whatever I get in her.

Has anyone had this problem and figured out how to get their cat to eat once again.

She has vision and hearing. I'm not sure about smelling.

I am hoping that given time she'll recover

Thanks for any reposnses , Gary

Oh, my goodness, poor baby...sorry I have not had to deal with this problem myself...sounds like your on the right track...the first thing that popped into my head was that she had a stroke...and in humans, there is often some recovery..glow for both of you...
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PHTessie

Gary --

Have you talked to your vet about her swollowing OK when you syringe feed, but not eating on her own? I ask because it may be she can't chew, but it may also be that her appetite isn't up to speed yet. If this is the case, then the vet can prescribe an appetite stimulant.

You are syringe feeding her just fine. I had to do it for several days in the way you described for a cat of mine after leg ampuation surgery. I tried to get 30-40 cc's of wet food watered just enough to suck into the syringe -- about every six hours. If you are using a smaller syringe, the vet can provide a larger syringe. The one I got held 20 cc's at a time. Recommend you ask about Science Diet AD canned food while she is not eating on her own. It is packed with nutrients for cats that are not 100%.

Let us know how it goes.
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

Well, She ate on her own this morning. Yea! I think it was something to do with her scent. She spent a few seconds over her bowl sniffing and then she started eating. My diagnosis is that she had a stroke and it's all starting to come back. She's still walking in circles some, but she's walking in a straight line a lot more of the time. Thank you for your replies and encouragement, I appreciate it. She is my favorite pet ( 2 Cats and a dog )

Gary

Wonderful!!!!!
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PHTessie

GLOWS to you and your baby. I have never had this happen. I have had to force feed an unwilling cat and the Vet told me to do it just the way you are doing it and I got bitten a few times to before she figured out that she was getting food and started cooperating a little bit. Hope she gets better for you, stay in contact with your Vet. He is the best source of information that you have available to you
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PHWildCat/Tessa and 21 cats, 1 dog and even a hamster
Tabitha, in my heart forever.... earned her wings 6/26/05, Samantha, the bestest whineameezer...earned her wings 4/7/06.
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Hi Gary,

I think your cat most likely has something called vestibular syndrome. This is often treated with steroids and antibiotics and the prognosis is good. Cats often will not eat on their own when they have vestibular problems because they are dizzy and/or nauseated.

It is possible to syringe feed a cat without getting bitten. It's much easier to show someone than try to explain it. I'm sure one of the techs would be happy to demonstrate the procedure. Any kitty could be used for a demo.

As another posted stated, Hills A/D is excellent for syringe feeding. For tube and syringe feeding hospitalized cats, we mix 3 cans of A/D with one can of water, and use a hand blender. This assures that the cat will get a good amount of water with every feeding. I personally find a 12cc syringe to be easiest for syringe feeding. I would start with a small amount, maybe only 10cc at a time, 3 times daily. If there is no vomiting, you can slowly increase the amount.

This site has some good information on vestibular disease:
http://www.cathealth.com/vestibular.htm

I feel so bad for your baby and will remember her in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us updated on how she does.

Regards,
PHKitkat

Gary --

When I first read your post, I had similar thoughts to that of PHKitKat -- vestibular syndrome. I say that because my cat had a dizzy spell and I did a lot of reading on common causes... His did not turn out to be vestibular or stroke, but the symptoms you decribed could be vestibular. I didn't mention it because you said you'd taken her to the vet so I would think they would have mentioned it -- but maybe not. It is probably worth a check with that same vet if you are comfortable or with another vet. It is something that sounds fairly easy to clear up when you read up on it. Something to rule out and not just assume it is stroke... Glad PHKitKat brought it up...

You may also want to slightly warm her food (not hot but warm) as it may bring more smell out of it... Warm food smells stronger than cold food... Maybe mix it with warmer water if you use cold now... Science Diet AD wet is the way to go until she is 100%. Can get it thru your vet.
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey